How To Reset A Game On Steam

How to Reset a Game on Steam

Have you ever played a game and wished you could just start over, like turning back time? Maybe you made some choices you regret, or perhaps you want to experience the story again without all the old stuff. Resetting a game on Steam can be a bit different depending on the game, but don’t worry, it’s usually not too hard. Let’s explore the different ways to do it.

Understanding Game Saves on Steam

Before we jump into resetting, let’s talk about game saves. Most games on Steam save your progress automatically. This means every time you play, the game remembers where you are, what you’ve done, and what items you have. These saves can be stored in different places:

• Local Saves: Some games save directly on your computer. These are often in folders related to the game itself or sometimes in a special “My Documents” area.
• Cloud Saves: Steam has a cool feature where it can save your progress online, in the cloud. This is super helpful if you switch computers, and you want your game progress to come with you!
• Game Specific Saves: Some game makers use their own saving systems, which might be a mix of local and online storage.

Knowing where the game saves are is important because it helps you understand what you need to change to reset the game.

Common Methods for Resetting Game Progress

Now, let’s dive into some ways you can get that fresh start you’re after. The approach you’ll use will often depend on the game and its saving system.

Deleting Local Save Files

If the game saves on your computer, deleting the save files can often reset the game. This works well for games without cloud saving or when you prefer not to use the cloud.

1. Find the Save Files: This is the trickiest part. You might need to do some searching. Common places to look are:
   • The game’s install folder (right-click the game in your Steam library, go to “Manage” then “Browse Local Files”). Look for folders like “saves,” “savegames,” or similar.
   • The “Documents” folder on your computer. There might be a folder with the game’s name inside it.
   • The “AppData” folder, which is a hidden folder. To access it, press Windows Key + R, type %appdata%, and press Enter. Then look for a folder with the game’s name.
2. Delete the Save Files: Once you locate the save files (they often end in .sav or .dat), delete them. Be extra careful not to delete the wrong things.
3. Start the Game: Launch the game through Steam. It should start from the beginning, as if you’re playing for the first time.

Important Note: Deleting files is a serious action. Always double-check that you’ve found the right files before you delete anything. If you’re not sure, it’s a good idea to make a copy of the save folder before deleting anything. That way you can put it back if you mess up.

Disabling Steam Cloud Saves

If a game uses Steam Cloud to save your progress, you’ll need to turn off cloud saves for that game temporarily to make a fresh start. Here’s how you do it:

1. Go to Your Steam Library: Open Steam and click on “Library.”
2. Right-Click on the Game: Right-click on the game you want to reset.
3. Select “Properties”: In the menu that appears, click on “Properties”.
4. Go to the “General” tab: A new window will pop up. Click the “General” tab.
5. Uncheck “Keep game saves in the Steam Cloud”: Find the “Steam Cloud” section, and uncheck the box next to it. This action will turn off cloud saving for this game.
6. Start the game and delete local saves(if any): Now, Start your game and try to find where local save folder exists and delete all your saves, if game saves files locally. You will find folder of saves by right-clicking game and going to browse local files, or you can go to appdata folder and search the save file folder. After locating save files, delete all of them.
7. Start the Game: Start the game. The game should start as fresh and new game.
8. Re-enable cloud saving: If you want your future progress to be saved on cloud, don’t forget to check the box again to re-enable cloud saves.

Caution: Turning off cloud saves will stop Steam from syncing your game progress across devices for that particular game. Remember to turn it back on if you want to keep your progress synced.

Using In-Game Reset Options

Some games actually include a “reset” or “new game” option right inside the game’s menu. This is the simplest way to reset, if available.

• Look in the Game Menu: Open the game and go to the settings or main menu.
• Find Reset Options: Search for options like “New Game,” “Reset Progress,” or similar phrases. The name can vary from game to game.
• Select the Reset: Follow the on-screen instructions, if any, to reset the game.

This is the best case scenario. If the game has an in-game reset function, use that as your first option. It will be the most comfortable way to reset your game.

Using Console Commands (for some games)

Some games use command prompts or console commands. If you are familiar with console commands you can use them to reset your game, if a reset command is available. You can find a specific command by searching the internet about your game.

Warning Using console commands can be risky if you don’t know what you’re doing. Make sure you are sure about using a command.

Starting a New Profile or Character

Many games allow you to create multiple profiles or characters, and the progress for each is kept separately. This is another way to start over.

• Look for Profile/Character Options: Start the game, and search in the game menus. You’ll see an option to create a new profile or character.
• Create New Profile/Character: Create a new profile or character, and start from the beginning of that character or profile.

This method is good when you want to keep your previous progress and try out the game again. You can use the same settings, but you can experience different starting scenarios if they are available in-game.

Dealing with Specific Game Scenarios

Games with Online Progression

Some online games, particularly multiplayer ones, keep all progress on their own servers. These saves are not accessible for changing or deleting. If you need to reset the game on a server for these games, you may need to contact the game’s support. Here are some ways to try to reset these types of games:

• Contact the Game’s Support Team: If you’ve made a major mistake, or really need a reset, ask the game’s support team. They might be able to help.
• Create a New Account: If the server has no option to reset the game, the only option you have is to create a new account. It will start with a fresh state.

These options can be challenging because online game saves are often controlled by the game makers to ensure fair play.

Games with Unique Save Systems

Some game makers use different kinds of saving systems that can be confusing. Here are some ways to handle those games:

• Check the Game’s Website or Forums: If the reset methods above don’t work, look for help on the game’s official website or community forums. Other players might have faced a similar situation and found a way to reset the game.
• Search Online for Tutorials: If you have some difficult to reset games. Try searching online about how to reset them. You might find specific instructions that might solve your problem.

Remember, some games might make it more difficult to reset on purpose. But with a little work, you can usually find a way.

Things to Consider Before Resetting

Backing up Your Saves

Before you delete or change anything, it’s a great idea to make a backup of your save files. It’s like making a copy before you edit your homework. If you change your mind or have problems, you have a backup.

• Copy Save Files: Copy the folder or files containing your save data into a safe place.
• Backup Steam Cloud: To be safe, you can copy the folder of the local saves of your cloud data. You can find a folder with a specific ID, of each of your games, in a userdata folder inside your Steam directory folder.

Thinking About the Consequences

Resetting your game means you’ll lose all your previous progress. Make sure you’re sure you want to start all over.

Understanding the Differences Between Resetting and Restarting

Sometimes, a game might have a “restart” option. This could be different from a reset. Restarting usually keeps your overall progress, but might send you back to the beginning of a level or stage. Make sure you understand the difference, if you need to completely reset the game.

Resetting your progress in a Steam game can be very helpful if you want a fresh start, you have made some mistakes and want to correct them, or you just want to experience the game again. By understanding how game saves work and using these methods, you can easily reset most games on Steam.

And remember, if you get lost in any of the steps, don’t hesitate to seek advice from a friend or search on internet. There are always some ways to reset the game and start again from the very beginning!